Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics | Arjun Kapoor | TEDxJells Park Youth
Arjun Kapoor has always been driven by two passions: mathematics and advocacy. From testifying in federal parliament on the social media ban to contributing to the Monash Youth Survey where his love for statistics began, Arjun has seen how numbers can both empower and mislead. Drawing on these experiences, he explores one of the greatest challenges in data-driven decision making: statistical bias. In this talk, Arjun unpacks how numbers can be manipulated, why bias distorts truth, and how common misconceptions and oversights, such as misinterpreting correlations or overlooking sample limitations, can lead to flawed conclusions. He challenges us to think critically about the data we consume and shows how we can build a future where statistics are used responsibly to inform decisions rather than deceive. Arjun Kapoor is passionate about mathematics and advocacy, having most prominently testified in federal parliament on the proposed social media ban. Through his experiences, he has witnessed firsthand that one of the greatest barriers to effective data-driven decision making is statistical bias. His love for statistics began with his work on the Monash Youth Survey, and since then, he has explored how numbers can be both a tool for truth and a weapon for distortion. In this talk, Arjun examines the hidden flaws behind data, urging us to question the statistics that shape our world. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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